Winter Serenity

Not the merest tug of errant
wind challenges the serenity
of the woods, no rustling of
transparent beige beech,
ironwood or oak foliage
stubbornly clinging to a
core-depleted winter tree
where an opaque white light
transfuses the landscape
awaiting sunset hovering
on the horizon. Snow has
surrendered its icy crust so
hikers' boots sink silent
and deep in the stilled
atmosphere until suddenly
somewhere distant a dog 
rousting woodland creatures 
voices its frenzied joy.